Control valve structure



Nov. 14, 1967 s. F. STRYKER 3,352,325

CONTROL VALVE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 17, 1966 INVENTOR I 5E9 Mada, F Sven Kerb ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,352,325 CONTROL VALVE STRUCTURE Seymour F. Stryker, Evauston, Iil., assignor to Air-Mite Devices, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 528,184 2 Claims. (Cl. 137-62569) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A miniature valve apparatus for controlling the selective passage of air through a pneumatic system by mechanical actuation of a plunger retained in the valve by a removable member to limit the outward movement of the plunger and keep the entire apparatus in assembled condition, while providing a free protruding end of the plunger to the exterior of the apparatus for engagement by any of a variety of actuating means.

This invention relates generally to control valve structures and more particularly is concerned with a novel type of valve structure which is especially suitable for application to valves of relatively small size.

This is a continuation-in-part of an application Ser. No. 454,462, filed May 10, 1965, and entitled, Control Valve Structure and Linkage Therefor.

As explained in the copending application, the valve structures of that invention as well as this are especially intended for installation into pneumatic systems and hence operate to control so-called air-actuated devices. The valve structures are quite small, and operate by virtue of different types of manual or mechanical actuation. Small diameter tubing and miniature fittings are used herein as in the case of the structures described in the said copending application and hence the valve structures are suitable for use in substitution of electrical switches on production lines, in machinery and the like. Such uses include limit switches, actuating switches, etc.

The principal difference between the structure described herein and those of the copending application lies in the universality of the invention herein, and it is thus an object of the invention to provide a novel control valve structure which is universally adapted for a wide range of different types of actuating means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a miniature control valve structure of universal application which is readily assembled from easily fabricated parts and which is equally simple to disassemble, to enable repair or replacement of parts in the field.

An important object of the invention is to provide a novel miniature control valve structure which includes a special retainer member serving a multiplicity of purposes, such retainer being generally of cylindrical configuration but having an integral annular flange on its bottom end, whereby to assume the appearance of a brimmed hat.

Many of the objects and advantages of the invention as described in the copending application apply equally as Well herein. Other objects will occur to those skilled in this art as a description of the invention is set forth hereinafter in connection with the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a median sectional view through a control valve constructed in accordance with the invention, shown fully assembled with an external roller engaging the end i of the plunger 80 to depress the same for actuating the valve.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scale, and showing the internal details of the valve in a condition in which the plunger is biased to its protruding position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective elevational view of the control valve of the invention and all of its parts.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are side elevational views of the control valve of the invention showing the adaptation of different forms of actuation means thereto.

The invention herein is characterized, as in the case of the copending application, by the provision of a control valve structure which is assembled by means of a single expandable ring which holds all parts together, and which can easily be removed in the field or on a bench to give access to the interior of the valve. Additionally, the valve structure of this invention provides a structure which is capable of universal use in that a wide variety of actuating means may be used to operate the valve. Such means may be external or may readily be associated with the valve structure.

The basic structure of the control valve herein differs from that of the copending application in that the socalled pressure thimble of the structure of the copending application has been modified to provide additional functions, as a result of which the structure is simple and more flexible in use. Specifically, the prior pressure thimble was a cylindrical member having a hole in its end face through which the tip of the plunger protruded. It applied pressure on the spacer and O-ring string. The equivalent member of this invention is called a retainer, and in addition to providing the pressure above described, it limits the outward movement of the plunger and seats in the cavity in the valve body where it is held by a split ring. Thus, it keep the entire valve structure in assembled condition, While providing a free protruding end of the plunger to the exterior for engagement by any of a wide variety of actuating means.

Referring now to the drawings, the valve structure of the invention is designated generally by the reference character 10. In the description hereinafter, the word valve will be used as a collective word to include the entire structure rather than any particular parts which perform valving operations. The valve 10 is formed of several components, or groups of parts, which perform the various functions contributing to the operation as a whole.

Basically there is a body having various passageways, a principal valving cavity or chamber in the body which has the passageways connecting therewith and provides the multiple packing means in the form of various suitably spaced O-rings to cooperate with the movable plunger to form the several paths for flow of the air during operation of the valve. Means are provided to retain the parts in assembly, in such a manner that the plunger end is presented for engagement outside of the valve body by any form of actuating device. Such device will engage the plunger end and reciprocate the plunger. Such device may or may not be secured to the valve body, as will be described.

The body 12 is a simple block of aluminum or brass, which is somewhat elongate as shown in the drawings, this configuration being one of design although probably the most economical when considering the need for screw threaded receptacles 14 and 16 formed at the opposite ends. These receptacles are required to receive the threaded male ends of suitable connecting air conduits 18 and 20 resepectively (FIG. 3) when the valve 10 is connected into an air system. Another receptacle 22 is formed in the body 12 opening to the bottom thereof, for receiving the air conduit 24. The block is bored transversely at 26 to provide holes for bolts for enabling the valve 10 to be secured in position to a suitable mounting. Likewise, bracket grooves 28 may be milled or cast in the block as shown in FIG. 3 to assist in mounting the valve. Another opening 25 may be drilled through the block 12 in the grooves 28 to accommodate a pin for mounting various kinds of actuating devices, as will be explained.

The body 12 has a vertical valving cavity 30 of cylindrical configuration bored therein and connecting with the bottom receptacle 22 at 32 to provide a bottom port, connecting with the right hand receptacle 16 by means of a small passageway forming a port 34 and connecting with the left hand receptacle 14 by means of another passageway forming port 36. The cavity 30 has an enlarged en trance 38 thereby providing a shoulder 40. This entrance 38 is often called a gallery'or recess hereinafter. The gallery 38 has a shallow annular groove 44 spaced from the top wall 46 to receive therein a snap ring 48 of conventional construction, shown in place in FIGS. 1 and 2, and shown independently in FIG. 3.

A string of annular spacers of sleeve-like configuration and O-rings is located within the valving cavity, and held in place by the snap ring 48 in a manner to be described. Each annular spacer has the same construction and hence attention may be directedto the bottommost one 50 in FIG. 3 for the description of all. There is an axial cylindrical portion 52 with radial holes 54 circumferentially spaced about the cylindrical portion, and each end has a flange 56 integral therewith. The O-rings are conventional in construction.

Starting at the bottom of the cavity 30, there is a spacer sleeve 50,, above which is an O-ring 58, second spacer sleeve 60, second Oring 62, third spacer sleeve 64 and third O-ring 66. The spacers and O-rings are held in the relationship described with a predetermined pressure,

since the O-rings are made of rubber or equivalent material, and are resilient. Pressure is applied by means of the lower flange 68 of the retainer 70 that isin the form of a brimmed hat-shaped member having a central opening 72 located in the upper wall 74 for a purpose to be described.

The valve includes a plunger 80 which is disposed in the valving cavity in engagement withthe O-rings. The plunger has a reduced diameter follower end 120 with a rounded tip 122 that protrudes from the valve to be engaged by some actuating means to reciprocate the plunger. The plunger is biased outwardly by means of a coil spring 126 that is retained in a hollow recess 128 formed in the plunger 80 and opening tothe bottom end thereof and engaging on the bottom surface 130 of the cavity 30. The follower end 120 passes through the opening 72 in the retainer 70 and its reciprocation does not affect the pressure applied by the retainer to the spacer-O-ring string.

The plunger 80 has two spaced cylindrical valving surfaces 132 and 134 separated by a necked portion 136, the lower surface 134 being spaced fromthe bottom end of the plunger by means of a reduced diameter portion 138.

Movement of the plunger 80 up and down accomplishes the valving functions of the valve 10. This is done in a more or less conventional manner and involves cooperation between the valving surfaces and theO-rings. This may be explained as follows:

Assume initially that the valve is in the condition shown in FIG. 2. The plunger 86 is biased upward to its maximum extent by the spring 126- and with the tip 122 protruding its maximum extent. In these circum stances, the port 36 opens into the cavity 30 by way of the holes of the spacer 64, but the valving surfaces 132 and 134 are in engagement with the O-rings 66 and 62, respectively, and hence a blind end is produced at the spacer 64. The O-rings are under sufficient compression such that they act. as packing means to prevent any passage of air by way of the port 36 to other parts of the-valve 10.

The same conditions prevailing, there is free passage between the receptacles 22 and 16 by way of the cavity 30. A direction of fluid flow is assumed to be from the conduit 24 to the conduit 20, although this is not essen- 60 and out the port 34. The connection is thus established between the conduits 24 and 20.

Assuming that a moving member 140 (FIG. 1) having the roller engages the end 122 and pushes the same inward, the conditions of the valve 10 are as shown in FIG. 1. The spring 126 is compressed. The plunger 80 has been pushed downward until the reduced diameter end 138 is engaged against or close to the surface 130. Now the valving surface 134 has moved out of engagement with the O-ring 62 and into engagement with the O-ring 58 thereby blocking passage of any air by way of the port 32. The valving surface 132 has moved axially with the plunger 80 but has not left its engagement with the O-ring 66. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that this O-ring is a continuously engaged packing member which prevents escape of any fluid out of the cavity 30 by way of the housing during the operation of the valve. The necked portion 136 is now disposed alongside the O-ring 62 so that air is free to pass this O-ring. Accordingly, air may now pass from the receptacle 14 by way of the port 36 into the cavity 30 through the holes of the spacer 64, pastthe O-ring 62, through the holes of the spacer 60 and out of the port 34 into the receptacle 16. The connection is thus established between the con duits 18 and 20.

As indicated, the principal constructional difference between the invention as shown in the copending application and the present invention is in the means for retaining the parts of the valve in assembly. In the copending application, the pressure thimble comprises that part of the retainer 70 which excludes the integral bottom flange end 68 so that the principal function of the pressure thimble is to apply pressure to the string of O-rings and spacers. In said copending application there is a push-rod assembly and a housing for the push-rod assembly, the housing having a bottom flange and an interior cavity into which the thimble top engages so that the bottom flange may be locked into the gallery 38 on the shoulder 40 and held in place by a similar split ring 48. This, then permits the thimble to maintain its pressure on the string. The push-rod assembly includes a roller which is adapted for disposition on axes normal to one another, and for this purpose, the flange at the bottom of the housing has indexing notches cooperating with a pin set into the shoulder 40. The hole for such pin may be provided in the structure of this invention as shown in broken lines at 42 in FIG. 2, so that the structure is adapted for use with the actuating means of the copending application.

The brimmed hat shaped retainer 70 serves a plurality of functions in the valve structure .of this invention. It still performs the function of applying pressure to the string of O-rings and spacers by means of the bottom surface of the integral flange 68 as shown in FIG. 2. It flange 68 is seated in the gallery 38 on the shoulder 40 and held in place by the split ring 48, which is readily.

removable. Since the end of the plunger 80 protrudes through the opening 72, the retainer 70 centers the plunger and guides it in its movement. Since the valving surface 132 is pressed upward its maximum extent by the spring 126 the end of the enlargement providing the valve surface engages against the inside of the end wall 74 of the retainer 70 so that the retainer limits the outward extent of movement of the plunger 80. The retainer 70 also keeps the entire valve structure in assembly, and also enables direct engagement of the plunger end 122 by some outside actuating means. This structure, for most.

applications of the valve, enables the use of simple, economical and direct actuating means. It also keeps the dimensions of the valve small.

The valve it? of FIGS. 1 to 3 is the basic structure for use with external actuating means. Through the use of the transverse hole 25 and the upper end of the grooves 28, simplified actuating means may be provided preassembled to the valve body. In FIG. 4, a lever 86 is provided with ears 88 mounted on a simple pin 92 passing through the hole 25. A fingertip end 94 or a plain end as shown in FIG. 6 may be provided on the lever 86 for depressing the same. A simple integral boss 98 of some kind may be formed on the under side of the lever to engage the free end 122. Rocking the lever downward as indicated by the broken line positions of the same in FIGS. 4 and 6 pushes the plunger 80 inward.

FIG. 5 differs from the structures of FIGS. 4 and 6 only in that the end of the lever 86 has a roller 102 on a pair of ears 104. These ears may be fixed or may be capable of one-way rotation so that the roller 102 will actuate the valve only in having a member moved across the same in one direction.

The invention has been sufiiciently described such as to enable those skilled in this art to understand and appreciate the same and to build structures embodying the same. Considerable variation is capable of being made in the details of the structure without in any way departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A valve having a body with a valving cavity opening to one surface of said body, an annular gallery in said body surrounding the entrance to the cavity to thereby define a shoulder therein, a plurality of alternately stacked annular packing members and annular perforated spacers, co-axially engaged in the cavity to define a passageway, a plurality of ports in the said body opening to said cavity and adapted to be selectively connected for the valving operation, a plunger disposed in said passageway defined by said packing members and annular perforated spacers, movable axially therein and having the valving surfaces for engaging said annular packing members, the packing members being arranged relative to the ports and plunger such that the axial movement of the plunger selectively establishes communication between different ports, spring means for biasing the plunger to a first axial position with the plunger disposed toward the outer end of the valving cavity, a cup-shaped retainer member having an open end defining an annular surface and an aperture in the opposite end thereof, said retainer being received in said gallery with a portion of said annular retainer surface seated on the annular shoulder defined by said gallery and the inner portion of said retainer surface being effective to retain said annular packing members and perforated spacers in stacked relation, a reduced diameter end portion on said plunger received in and protruding from said retainer aperture when said retainer surface is disposed in said gallery, said reduced diameter end portion adapted to be engaged by external actuating means to bias said plunger away from the first axial position, means associated with said valving body and said retainer removably to lock said retainer in said gallery to maintain the valve elements in assembled relation in the said valving cavity end thereby adapted to provide access to said valve elements upon disengagement of said means and removal of said cup-shaped retainer.

2. A valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said means removably to lock said retainer housing in said gallery comprises an annular groove in the circumferential wall of said gallery, and a snap ring engaged in said groove and holding said retainer in said gallery.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,902,697 3/1933 Ellingsen 285--276 3,236,251 2/1966 Hansen 137-625.68 X 3,279,748 10/1966 Coulter 137-62569 X 3,279,835 10/1966 Krohm 287119 M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

H. KLINKSIEK, Examiner. 

1. A VALVE HAVING A BODY WITH A VALVING CAVITY OPENING TO ONE SURFACE OF SAID BODY, AN ANNULAR GALLERY IN SAID BODY SURROUNDING THE ENTRANCE TO THE CAVITY TO THEREBY DEFINE A SHOULDER THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF ALTERNATELY STACKED ANNULAR PACKING MEMBERS AND ANNULAR PERFORATED SPACERS, CO-AXIALLY ENGAGED IN THE CAVITY TO DEFINE A PASSAGEWAY, A PLURALITY OF PORTS IN THE SAID BODY OPENING TO SAID CAVITY AND ADAPTED TO BE SELECTIVELY CONNECTED FOR THE VALVING OPERATION, A PLUNGER DISPOSED IN SAID PASSAGEWAY DEFINED BY SAID PACKING MEMBERS AND ANNULAR PERFORATED SPACERS, MOVABLE AXIALLY THEREIN AND HAVING THE VALVING SURFACES FOR ENGAGING SAID ANNULAR PACKING MEMBERS, THE PACKING MEMBERS BEING ARRANGED RELATIVE TO PORTS AND PLUNGER SUCH THAT THE AXIAL MOVEMENT OF THE PLUNGER SELECTIVELY ESTABLISHES COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT PORTS, SPRING MEANS FOR BIASING THE PLUNGER TO A FIRST AXIAL POSITION WITH THE PLUNGER DISPOSED TOWARD THE OUTER END OF THE VALVING CAVITY, A CUP-SHAPED RETAINER MEMBER HAVING AN OPEN END DEFINING AN ANNULAR SURFACE AND AN APERTURE IN THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF, SAID RETAINER BEING RECEIVED IN SAID GALLERY WITH A PORTION OF SAID ANNULAR RETAINER SURFACE SEATED ON THE ANNULAR SHOULDER DEFINED BY SAID GALLERY AND THE INNER PORTION OF SAID RETAINER SURFACE BEING EFFECTIVE TO RETAIN SAID ANNULAR PACKING MEMBERS AND PERFORATED SPACERS IN STACKED RELATION, A REDUCED DIAMETER END PORTION ON SAID PLUNGER RECEIVED IN AND PROTRUDING FROM SAID RETAINER APERTURE WHEN SAID RETAINER SURFACE IS DISPOSED IN SAID GALLERY, SAID REDUCED DIAMETER END PORTION ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED BY EXTERNAL ACTUATING MEANS TO BIAS SAID PLUNGER AWAY FROM THE FIRST AXIAL POSITION, MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID VALVING BODY AND SAID RETAINER REMOVABLY TO LOCK SAID RETAINER IN SAID GALLERY TO MAINTAIN THE VALVE ELEMENTS IN ASSEMBLED RELATION IN THE SAID VALVING CAVITY END THEREBY ADAPTED TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SAID VALVE ELEMENTS UPON DISENGAGEMENT OF SAID MEANS AND REMOVAL SAID CUP-SHAPED RETAINER. 